Latest news with #KoFHA
Business Recorder
19-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Govt plans to establish Rs3bn aquaculture park in Karachi
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art aquaculture park at Korangi Fish Harbour in Karachi, at an estimated cost of Rs3 billion. The minister made this announcement presiding a high-level meeting on the development of blue economy. The meeting was attended by Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) Chairman Noorul Haq Baloch, representatives from Korangi Fish Harbour Authority (KoFHA), the Marine Fisheries Department (MFD), and the Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The 120-acre aquaculture park is estimated to produce 360 to 1,200 tons of seafood annually, depending on the species cultivated and the farming system employed. Its annual revenue is projected to be between $720,000 and $7.2 million, influenced by species selection, market prices, and production intensity, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs said in a press release. The World Bank defines the blue economy as the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and job creation, while ensuring the health of the ocean ecosystem. Minister Junaid said the project, covering 120 acres, should be developed under a public-private partnership framework, aiming to boost the country's blue economy through sustainable aquaculture. The meeting was informed that the land cost for the aquaculture park has been set according to an extensive farming model, offering an affordable and efficient foundation for private investors. Starting fish farming scheme in Sindh with World Bank support: Najmi Alam Experts informed the meeting that Pakistan's coastal waters possess highly conducive conditions for aquaculture, providing an ideal environment for farming a variety of marine species. To accelerate the process, the federal minister directed the KoFHA to submit a comprehensive execution report within 10 days. Emphasising replication of success, he proposed extending the aquaculture model to Balochistan, leveraging its vast coastal belt for sustainable marine farming. While, in a move aimed at enhancing coordination, Junaid ordered the relocation of Marine Fisheries Department sub office to the premises of the Gwadar Port Authority. This administrative shift is expected to streamline inter-agency collaboration and expedite decision-making in blue economy initiatives. In a separate meeting, the federal minister also reviewed the progress on the land allotment and lease policy of the Port Qasim Authority (PQA). Officials informed him that the Survey of Pakistan has been engaged to identify and demarcate PQA-owned land. Furthermore, it was conveyed that the revision of PQA's master plan is being aligned with the broader feasibility study for the National Ports Master Plan, currently underway. Minister Junaid reiterated the government's commitment to promoting sustainable marine development, asserting that investments in aquaculture and port infrastructure are essential for ensuring food security, increasing exports, and generating employment across coastal regions. The series of meetings held by the maritime minister mark a significant step in the government's broader maritime development strategy, focused on harnessing the full potential of Pakistan's coastal resources through innovation, institutional cooperation, and private sector engagement.
Business Recorder
12-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Seafood export target set at $450m, minister told
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Maritimes Affairs has set seafood export target at $450 million this year and a non-tax revenue target of Rs 250 million within next three years. This was told by Marine Fisheries Department (MDF) Director General (DG) Dr Mansoor Ali Wasan to the Federal Minister for Maritimes Affairs Junaid Akbar Chaudhary. The DG MDF said that his department has initiated establishing a fisheries dialogue, research centre, revamping the fisheries training center to conduct 300 training sessions over three years and reactivating four laboratories to achieve the targets. Pakistan's seafood exports from July to May (2020-24) stood at $383.088 million; an increase from $373.382 million recorded during the same period in 2019-23. This reflects a year-on-year growth rate of approximately 2.6 percent, despite global economic challenges and fluctuating trade patterns. He added Pakistan is endowed with immense fishing potential, thanks to our 1,000-kilometre-long coastline, diverse aquatic species, and favourable climatic conditions. China has emerged as a pivotal partner in our seafood trade, accounting for a substantial portion of our exports. Pakistan's seafood exports reached $410.268 million in fiscal year 2023-24, a decrease of 17.4 percent compared to the record high of $496.6 million in the 2022-23 fiscal year. DrWasan informed the maritime minister that stakeholders in fisheries, such as fishermen, exporters, and crew members will receive training at the Fisheries Research Centre. The minister urged KoFHA to accelerate the Pak Aqua public-private venture to enhance trade by leveraging private sector investment for facility modernisation and operational efficiency. The minister emphasised the importance of climate-resilient infrastructure in a new maritime strategy, aiming to modernise ports, reduce environmental impact, and boost economic growth. In a series of high-level meetings, the minister reviewed progress across key maritime institutions, including the Port Qasim Authority (PQA), Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority (KoFHA), and the Marine Fisheries Department (MFD), emphasising environmental sustainability. The minister assessed the implementation of PQA's 10-year development plan focused on increasing cargo handling capacity and modernising infrastructure to establish the port as a regional maritime logistics hub. Junaid Anwar Chaudhry also evaluated KPT's reform strategy emphasising governance, human capital, operational modernisation, financial sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and service delivery. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Sindh, Balochistan: Stakeholders consulted on national fisheries & aquaculture policy
GWADAR: MoMA, in collaboration with UN FAO, held Stakeholder Consultation Workshop (for Sindh and Balochistan Provinces) on National Fisheries Policy at a local hotel on May 22. It was an outstanding workshop with productive feedback and input from more than 80 relevant and experienced participants, including high-level officials from both provinces (Sindh and Balochistan) and federal institutions. After recitation and national anthem, welcome note was given by Assistant Fisheries Commissioner Farhan Khan, while MD KoFHA Dr Shahid Mirza delivered opening remarks. FAO Team member Amna Munir briefed about the project for national fisheries policy. FAO's Senior Policy Specialist Dr Kanwar Muhammad Javed Iqbal presented an overview on the draft policy document. Secretary Fisheries Sindh Dr Kazim Hussain Jatoi gave remarks as Guest of Honour in the inaugural session. DG Fisheries Balochistan and Director Fisheries Sindh made official presentations for their respective provinces with very good feedback on draft policy document. As Guest of Honour, Secretary Fisheries Balochistan Tariq Qamar spent the whole day and gave concluding remarks in addition to his remarks in the inaugural session. The closing session was chaired by Secretary Fisheries Balochistan and co-chaired by MD KoFHA Dr Shahid Mirza. Three panelists were CEO FDB M Junaid Wattoo, DG MFD Dr Mansoor Wassan and DG TDAP Athar Khokhar. Following were key dignitaries in the session: Secretary (as Guest of Honour) and DG, Livestock and Fisheries Sindh Province; 2. Secretary (as Guest of Honour) and DG Fisheries Balochistan; 3. Director General TDAP; 4. Chairman, Korangi Fish Harbour Authority (KoFHA); 5. Managing Director KoFHA; 6. DG MFD, MoMA; 7. CEO FDB; 8. Director Pakistan Security Agency, MoD; 9. Advisor Fisheries WWF Moazzam Khan; 10. Wasim Khan, former DG MFD and Ex FAO's Consultant; 11. WB's Study (on fisheries value chain) Team Members from AERC Karachi University, including the Director; 12. Faisal Iftikhar, CEO Aquahatch International; 13. Asif Lahri, GLLSP-II; 14. Daim Shah Bukhari, Aquaculture Farmers Association; 15. Chairman Pak FEA; 16. Participants from academia and think tanks including LUAWMS, AERC KU, Marine Biology KU, NIMA BU, Dadabhoy University etc. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
